M606 horror crash: Inquest opens into two of three men killed

Sohail Ali, 28, and Kyden Leadbeater, 18, were killed in the crash, which involved a taxi and a Ford Transit van.

Their inquests were opened today by senior Bradford Coroner Martin Fleming. Details were given of both men including their date of birth and when they died.

Mr Ali, who was driving a Toyota Prius taxi at the time of the crash, was declared dead at the scene, on the M606 southbound carriageway, at 11.50pm on June 13.

From left, Sohail Ali and Simon McHugh were among the three men killed in a crash on the M606

Mr Leadbeater, a passenger in the van, was declared dead at Leeds General Infirmary the morning after the crash, on June 14, at 7.15am.

At the 10-minute inquest opening, held at Bradford Coroners’ Court, Mr Fleming confirmed the van entered the southbound carriageway and collided with the Toyota Prius taxi, driven by Mr Ali.

The inquest into a third man who was also killed in the crash, Simon McHugh, 48, will be opened either tomorrow or early next week at Bradford Coroner’s Court, so his family can be contacted on the date this hearing will take place.

Mr McHugh was the head chef at Bradford’s Jurys Inn hotel and was described as a “gent and kind soul”.

A referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the incident.

The inquest investigations have been suspended until August 25, 2022 for mention, while the IOPC investigation takes place.

Mr Fleming said: “This is an inquest into the tragic deaths of Sohail Ali and Kyden Leadbeater, who passed away under tragic circumstances on June 13, 2022.”

A police spokesman confirmed earlier this week that the 15-year-old male driver of the Ford Transit van remains in hospital under arrest on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The other passenger in the van, a 17-year-old male, has been discharged from hospital. Police revealed he was arrested and interviewed on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

West Yorkshire Police have previously said they are especially keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage of the driving prior to the crash, or the collision itself, pledging to treat it in strict confidence.

Anyone who has information that can help police with their investigation is asked to contact police via 101 or the live chat options at westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus quoting crime reference 13220319922.